SECTT

16/10/2026

It was a privilege to be at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell campus today to hear the Prime Minister speak about skills, regional growth and opportunities for young people across Scotland.

The setting meant a lot. The college stands on the former Ravenscraig site, once at the heart of Scottish industry and now training the next generation of skilled workers.

Before his speech, the Prime Minister spent time with the apprentices and had warm words for them:

"The apprentices who are with us today are obviously taking that tradition forward, and we're proud of you, and we know you'll go on to do great things."

He described it as "an amazing college" and singled out its focus on brain health and wellbeing, calling it a powerful message for students.

Two of his points stood out for us at SECTT:

💡 "We can build factories, we can win contracts, we can create new businesses. But if a young person growing up here can't get the skills or the support they need to work there, then we haven't got it right."

🤝 "I want to work with the Scottish Government and Scottish local government to join up colleges, employers, employment support and local services."

That joined-up approach is what makes apprenticeships work: colleges, employers and training providers pulling together to give young people a real route into skilled careers.

Well done to the college staff and apprentices. You did yourselves proud today.

Barrie McKay
Training and Development Manager, SECTT

13/10/2026

A call to apprentices, qualified electricians, employers and colleges across Scotland:

SELECT has launched a petition asking the Scottish Parliament to press for statutory regulation of the electrical industry and legal protection of the title "Electrician".

The qualification you've earned – or are working towards – should mean something. Protecting the title protects your standing, raises standards across the industry, and gives the public confidence that the person working on their installation is properly trained.

It takes a minute to sign. Please do, and share it with your networks.

⚡ Protect the Title "Electrician" in Scotland

🔗 Sign the petition on the link in the comments below.

Electrical safety is fundamental to protecting people, homes and businesses. Yet in Scotland there is currently no statutory regulation of electricians, and the title "electrician" is not protected in law.

This means that anyone can describe themselves as an electrician without demonstrating the qualifications, skills or experience needed to carry out electrical work safely.

As Scotland progresses towards its net zero ambitions, electrical technologies and systems will become increasingly important. It is vital that electrical work is undertaken by professionals who are properly qualified, competent and accountable.

That's why we're calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce:

✅ Statutory regulation of the electrical industry
✅ Protection of the title "Electrician"
✅ Higher standards of competence and accountability
✅ Greater consumer confidence and public safety

The petition is now live, and we encourage everyone who supports electrical safety, professional standards and consumer protection to sign and share it with their networks.

Together, we can help ensure that those carrying out electrical work in Scotland have the skills, qualifications and competence required to keep people safe.

10/10/2026

SECTT welcomes new apprentice funding initiative – but warns it can be no substitute for proper Government support

The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) has welcomed the launch of Powering Potential, a new initiative from SELECT and Luceco Group that will give three SELECT member firms £6,000 each towards the cost of employing a first-year apprentice.

The grants, announced at the SELECT President's Lunch in Edinburgh on 25 September, go to small employers in the East, West, and North of Scotland with a proven record of recruiting and developing apprentices. SECTT was pleased to support SELECT in identifying suitable recipients.

The first year of an electrical apprenticeship is the most expensive for an employer. Apprentices spend much of that year in college while the business continues to pay wages. For many small firms, this cost is the deciding factor in whether they take on an apprentice at all.

Barrie McKay, SECTT Training & Development Manager, said, "We congratulate the employers and apprentices who have benefited from Powering Potential, and we thank Luceco Group and SELECT for this generous and practical support. It will make a real difference to these three businesses.

"We also welcome the Scottish Government's recent announcement of a 10% increase in apprenticeship funding, which is a positive step after several years without an uplift. However, it does not close the gap between what is funded and what it actually costs to train an electrician. Industry goodwill like Powering Potential should be a bonus, not a substitute for proper investment from Government.

"Scotland needs a steady supply of fully qualified electricians to deliver net zero, new housing and essential infrastructure. That will only happen if apprenticeship funding continues to rise to a level that reflects the true cost of training, so that every employer willing to take on an apprentice can do so."

SECTT will continue to work with SELECT, SJIB and partners across the industry to make the case for sustainable apprenticeship funding and employer support in Scotland.

08/10/2026

Amazing to be here.

08/10/2026

What an absolutely incredible day here at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, where SECTT is proudly representing at the UK skills event, hosted by our fantastic partners at NET! As your Training Development Manager, it fills me with immense pride to be here, cheering on our three exceptional apprentices who have reached the finals in November at Bridgewater College. This journey truly showcases their dedication and the high standards of training we champion in Scotland.

Year after year, NET truly outdo themselves with these events, creating an inspiring platform that not only celebrates talent but also fosters vital connections within the electrical industry. It's a powerful reminder of the bright future awaiting our skilled tradespeople and the essential role vocational training plays in empowering the next generation of electricians. Seeing our apprentices shine on such a national stage is a testament to their hard work and the robust support system provided by SECTT and the SJIB.

We're not just here to observe; we're here to champion excellence, encourage growth, and ensure our apprentices have every opportunity to succeed. Their success is Scotland's success, reinforcing our mission: Empowering tomorrow's electricians.

We'd love to hear from you! What do events like these mean for the future of vocational skills and apprenticeships in the UK? Share your thoughts below!

03/10/2026

Saw this and had to share 😂

What do you think? Electricians as the elite trade getting a bad name 😂

23/09/2026

Supporting the next generation of electricians ⚡☀️

A big thank you to Infinity Heat & Power Solutions (Infinity Group Ltd) for their generous donation of a Solar PV and Battery Storage Test Rig to the Electrical Team at North East Scotland College's Fraserburgh Campus.

The rig is a fully working system that lets learners see the whole process in action:

-Solar panels generating DC voltage
-The inverter converting it to AC
-Energy being used straight away or stored in batteries for later

Using a mobile app, students can also track energy generation and usage in real time, including drawing power from the stored battery supply.

The rig will be used across all electrical courses at the Fraserburgh Campus, giving learners hands-on experience with PV and energy storage systems and a clear understanding of how renewable technologies fit into modern electrical installations.

David Blackhall, Academic Improvement Lead for Electrical at NESCol, said: "Industry support like this plays a vital role in preparing our students for successful careers in the electrical sector. This generous donation will strengthen our teaching resources and give learners valuable opportunities to see how what they learn in the classroom applies in real-world, industry settings."

Infinity Group Ltd Director Callum Campbell, himself a former NESCol Fraserburgh student, added: "We regularly employ students who have completed Electrical courses at NESCol Fraserburgh, supporting them as they progress onto the SECTT apprenticeship scheme. The campus's industry-standard workshops give students valuable hands-on experience that reflects the realities of the workplace. We are proud to support the development of emerging talent and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the college."

This is a brilliant example of employers, colleges and SECTT working together, with a local employer investing in the college that trained him and now recruiting its learners into apprenticeships. Well done to everyone involved! 👏



Pictured are from left – David Blackhall (Academic Improvement Lead in Electrical, Nescol), Gavin Johnstone (Stage 3 Apprentice Infinity Group, attends Nescol Fraserburgh) and Callum Campbell (Group Director, Infinity Group)

08/09/2026

What an truly insightful day down at AICO, where I had the privilege of representing SECTT at the SELECT electrotechnical committee meeting. We delved into critical discussions surrounding all the new and upcoming regulations in our vital industry. Keeping abreast of these changes is paramount, not just for current professionals, but especially for the next generation of electricians we're empowering.
A huge thank you to the team at Aico for their warm hospitality and for providing a fantastic tour of their impressive facility. It's always inspiring to see cutting-edge operations firsthand, and it offers invaluable context for our discussions.
As SECTT's Training Development Manager, it's my absolute priority to ensure that our apprentices and adult trainees are always equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge and practices. These committee meetings are crucial for bringing that real-world, forward-thinking insight directly back into our training schemes, ensuring we're shaping a safer, more efficient future for Scottish electrical work.

25/08/2026

It was an absolute pleasure recently visiting the teams at Tullos Training Centre and NESCOL Aberdeen! As SECTT's Training Development Manager, it's always brilliant to get out and see the fantastic work being done on the ground. I was particularly impressed with the new workshops at NESCOL and had the privilege of meeting some of the enthusiastic new apprentices just kicking off their electrical journey. It’s genuinely inspiring to see their eagerness and potential.

What truly struck me during the visits was how both centres are really embracing 'meta skills' alongside the vital technical training. These are the adaptable, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that empower our apprentices to navigate challenges, innovate, and thrive throughout their careers. It's a testament to a forward-thinking approach that goes beyond just the tools and wires, preparing them for a dynamic future.

We at SECTT are incredibly proud to support these budding electricians and the centres that nurture their talent.

13/08/2026

It was a real pleasure to welcome Angela Ross MSP to SECTT and have the opportunity to talk to her about the work we do supporting Scotland’s electrical installation apprentices, adult trainees and employers.

Angela took the time to hear from our CEO Fiona Harper and Training & Development Manager Barrie McKay about our work and some of the opportunities and challenges facing the electrotechnical sector as we look to the future.

With growing demand across housing, infrastructure and renewables, Scotland is going to need a highly skilled electrical workforce - and apprenticeships will be absolutely fundamental to delivering that.

At SECTT, we currently support more than 3,500 apprentices and adult trainees, working with over 1,500 employers and 22 approved training centres and colleges across Scotland.

Visits like this really matter. They give us the opportunity to share what is happening on the ground, highlight the needs of our apprentices and employers, and make the case for continued investment in high-quality skills and training.

A huge thank you to Angela for giving us her time, asking some really thoughtful questions and taking such a genuine interest in our work.

We look forward to continuing the conversation and working together to champion Scotland’s apprentices and the electrotechnical workforce of the future. ⚡